New Brewer Equipment Questions

[rhodesie9]

Hi,

I have some questions regarding brewing equipment. I was looking for some feedback regarding kettles. I'm looking to do 10 gal batches and wondering if I should be looking at 15 gal or 20 gal kettles or maybe a combo of one 15 gal HLT, one 15 gal MT and one 20 gal BK.

Would anyone discourage me from going the aluminum route instead of SS?

Is there a difference between a threaded valve and a barbed valve?

Also, are there any issues using the larger equipment if I only wanted to do a 5 gal batch at some point, other than the obvious of having less beer?

Thank you.

 

[FarmBoy530]

Most folks who do 10g batches end up using 3 15g kegs. They don't cost much and they are easy to convert. I you get nice ones they clean up well too. You could also use a 10g cooler with this setup. Don't go aluminum. Haha that's me discouraging you! I think you should be able to do 5 gal no problem on that setup and it would even be a faster brew day do to shorter boil times.

 

[prrriiide]

Kegs will work fine at 15 g apiece. Aluminum is also fine. I use a 12 gallon aluminum tamale/seafood pot for my 9-10 gallon boils. I do 5 gallon boils in it with no issues. The only issue doing smaller batches on a larger rig is that you need something to minimize head space in your mash tun, like a foam board false lid to fit down in it. Too much head space means trouble keeping your mash temp steady. Also, your boil-off rate might be greater depending on the surface area of your brew kettle as compared to a smaller kettle.

Threaded valve:

Barbed valve:

 

[SaevaVeritas]

Many people brew with aluminum and report no problems. Others say that it not only affects the taste but there may be associated health risks. As a physician I would say the health risk is very minimal unless you brew/drink a TON. I went all stainless to avoid any issues with taste

 

[rhodesie9]

Most folks who do 10g batches end up using 3 15g kegs. They don't cost much and they are easy to convert. I you get nice ones they clean up well too. You could also use a 10g cooler with this setup. Don't go aluminum. Haha that's me discouraging you! I think you should be able to do 5 gal no problem on that setup and it would even be a faster brew day do to shorter boil times.

Thanks FarmBoy530. I have looked into obtaining kegs too, but they seem hard to come by.

 

[rhodesie9]

Kegs will work fine at 15 g apiece. Aluminum is also fine. I use a 12 gallon aluminum tamale/seafood pot for my 9-10 gallon boils. I do 5 gallon boils in it with no issues. The only issue doing smaller batches on a larger rig is that you need something to minimize head space in your mash tun, like a foam board false lid to fit down in it. Too much head space means trouble keeping your mash temp steady. Also, your boil-off rate might be greater depending on the surface area of your brew kettle as compared to a smaller kettle.

Threaded valve:

Barbed valve:

Good things to watch out for if doing smaller boils on larger units. Thanks prrriiide.

Thank you for including the photos too!
I have read suggestions that the valves to be used should be a quick connect/disconnect? Is this possible with both of these types of valves or just one of them?

 

[rhodesie9]

Many people brew with aluminum and report no problems. Others say that it not only affects the taste but there may be associated health risks. As a physician I would say the health risk is very minimal unless you brew/drink a TON. I went all stainless to avoid any issues with taste

Thanks doc. I was kind of leaning the aluminum way due to cost. I found this website yesterday showing a 15 gal three pack for $565. This includes the HLT, MT, and BK. All come with valves and thermometers. Also included are a sightglass, false bottom, kettle screen and their version of a sparging unit.

http://www.highlanderbrewingsupply.com/servlet/the-15-Gallon-All-Grain-Three-Pack/Categories

 

[FarmBoy530]

Aluminum scratches easy and that can be a problem with brewing. I cant comment on flavor or health. I think you can find kegs cheaper then that those kettles. Try calling a local brew pub. Maybe call micro star. keep looking, I think you'd be happier with heavy duty SS kegs!

 

[prrriiide]

Good things to watch out for if doing smaller boils on larger units. Thanks prrriiide.

Thank you for including the photos too!
I have read suggestions that the valves to be used should be a quick connect/disconnect? Is this possible with both of these types of valves or just one of them?

The QC fittings will screw into the threaded valve:

You can get them here. Also, there are nylon/PVC/some sort of plastic ones available, but I'm not sure where to get them.

 

[rhodesie9]

The QC fittings will screw into the threaded valve:

You can get them here. Also, there are nylon/PVC/some sort of plastic ones available, but I'm not sure where to get them.

Great. Thanks again. I will check into these this weekend.